City of Vancouver Book Award

The annual City of Vancouver Book Award has been recognizing authors of excellence of any genre since 1989. These authors contribute to the appreciation and understanding of Vancouver's history, unique character, or the achievements of its residents.

The $3,000 prize is funded by the City's Publishing Reserve, which was established in 1977 as a permanent legacy for Vancouver writers and publishers.

This year, the City of Vancouver honours local authors at the Mayor's Arts Awards on October 11. In its 29th year, the award ceremonies celebrate Vancouver's arts, creative and cultural sector, which reflect the city's unique character and identity.

2017 finalists

Mysterious crimes, pandas living in a warehouse, love, loss, self-revelation, and Coast Salish art are highlighted through bold creativity and historical stories told by this year's four finalists for the Book Award.

Sam Wiebe
Invisible Dead

The first novel in a series of mysteries focused on character Dave Wakeland. This fast-paced thriller set in Vancouver's criminal underworld follows a private investigator on a journey to solve an unsolvable mystery.

Gabrielle Prendergast
Pandas on the Eastside

A middle-grade novel about a young girl who rallies her friends and neighbors on the poverty-stricken Eastside to save two pandas from being sent back to China.

Carleigh Baker
Bad Endings

A collection of 15 stories themed on love, loss, connections and self-revelation told through often flawed characters that face adversity and hard choices.